A serious mistake by Nuno Tavares paves the way for the Giallorossi, who catch up with Milan in second place. The Biancocelesti regret Dia’s missed opportunity and Cataldi’s shot against the post in stoppage time
Just like last season, just like with Ranieri. Once again, a surprise move proved decisive, changing the fate of the derby. It was decided by Lorenzo Pellegrini, the most talked-about man at Roma so far this season. He was supposed to play at most one half, but instead he was on the pitch for 72 minutes. His first-half goal gave Roma the win (1-0) and allowed Gasperini to make up for the slip-up against Torino. Pellegrini hadn’t played for over four months (May 4, 2025) and his last goal from open play was against Lazio in last year’s derby. For the Biancocelesti, however, it was their third defeat in four games and a lackluster start to the season. The final nervousness (red cards for Belahyane and Guendouzi) and Cataldi’s sensational shot off the post counterbalanced a game played at times in a submissive manner (at the beginning) and then in the wake of competitive anger. Dia’s decision was wrong (he missed a sensational goal), with Castellanos proving dangerous in every phase of play when he came on.
Sarri brought Rovella back at the last minute and sent Dia and Pedro into attack in place of Castellanos and Cancellieri. Gasperini, on the other hand, played the Pellegrini card from the start, with Rensch replacing the weakened Wesley. The match struggled to get going, partly due to the intense heat. Sarri tried to deny Roma space to prevent them from playing vertically, while Gasperini put Pellegrini on Rovella to stifle the Biancocelesti’s ideas. The result was a foul-filled and unproductive match. Sarri also lost Dele-Bashiru (replaced by Belahyane) after just 12 minutes due to a problem with his right thigh flexor. But, on balance, the first chances all fell to Lazio: Pedro and Tavares shot over, Zaccagni tested Svilar from outside the box, and Rovella played in a dangerous ball that Dia and Zaccagni couldn’t reach for the winning tap-in. Then, however, Roma took the lead, thanks to the high pressure that is Gasperini’s credo par excellence: Rensch stole the ball from Tavares and passed to Soulé, who gave Pellegrini the assist for the opening goal. The captain (or former captain, if you will) celebrated almost in tears, for a goal that marked his rebirth. In fact, it was Roma’s first shot on goal, but it was decisive. Then, on Angelino’s only successful pass, Rensch almost doubled the lead.
Final push—Sarri sent on Cataldi for Rovella and Luca Pellegrini for Tavares, trying to turn the game around. However, it was Roma who came close to scoring immediately through Angelino, although the golden opportunity fell to Dia, who, one-on-one with Svilar, shot badly, sending the ball high. Then Roma lost some of their balance and their passing game suffered, but Sarri was never really able to take advantage. So, Lazio’s other option to change things was Castellanos, who immediately looked dangerous on a couple of occasions (his curling shot was beautiful, just missing the target after he had ‘dumped’ Mancini with a body feint). Roma’s problem was fatigue, with a lack of ideas, and Dovbyk (who replaced Ferguson) was unable to lift the team. And so Lazio’s pressure grew as the minutes passed, fueled by their competitive anger. Too much, in fact, because first Luca Pellegrini risked a foul on Rensch and then Belahyane was sent off for kicking Koné’s calf. But like every derby, it’s not over yet: Cataldi’s magic shot hits the post in stoppage time, while Guendouzi is sent off at the final whistle for some not-so-kind words towards Sozza. That’s how it ends, with the South Stand celebrating and a few more sparks flying on the pitch.
